WIFE SWAP {U.K. VERSION} {SERIES PREMIERE} (TV)
Summary
The series premiere in this United Kingdom reality series in which two families from different lifestyles swap their matriarchs for two weeks.
This episode's families are: Jason and Nicola McLoughlin, who live in a five-bedroom "mansion" in Wales with their children, two-year-old Morgan and seven-year-old Lewis; and Dave and Jayne McLoughlin, of Newcastle, England, who also have two children, ten-year-old Leanne and six-year-old Reese. Nicola and Jayne are actually in-laws as Jason and Dave are estranged brothers. However, Nicola and Jayne barely know each other or the other wife's children, having never visited each other's homes. Without knowing the identities of those with whom they'll be staying, the two agree to swap houses, husbands, and children for two weeks to see what they can learn about each other.
The program opens by discussing financial services manager Jason and freelance interior designer Nicola. Nicola thinks she is an "unpaid slave," but Jason wholeheartedly disagrees. Jason shows off the only dwelling in the house he gets to control, his video game room, in which he frequently locks himself. Next, the program looks at canteen worker Dave and part-time charity shop worker Jayne. They believe the key to a happy marriage is love and laughter, despite their lack of money. Dave does all of the household cooking and cleaning. The wives quickly check out each other's homes. Then, the wives read a "written manual" left by the other wife as a guide for how to run the house. Jayne also gets Nicola's weekly spending allowance, while Nicola has to figure out how to make Jayne's small budget go a long way.
Every one is surprised to see with whom they have swapped. Dave immediately finds Nicola to be picky. Jayne never cooks at her house but has to handle the culinary challenge of cooking a fish for Jason's meal. Nicola is shocked to find Dave doing the cooking, thinking his domesticity "extraordinary."
The next morning, Nicola and Jayne figure out what they can spend for that week's household needs. Nicola struggles to purchase the things she wants, having to bargain hunt for the first time. Nicola ends up blowing over half the weekly budget in one outing, despite Dave's instructions. Dave is both amused and frustrated that she bought items like luxury toilet paper.
Meanwhile, Jason can't bribe Jayne into going on a beer run for him. Jayne thinks Jason has no respect for money or those around him, wanting to slap him. Nicola discusses how she thinks money brings happiness. She thinks Dave and Jayne must feel that way, too, or else they wouldn't play the lottery. Meanwhile, Jason is angered by how Jayne ineptly ironed his dress shirt. Nicola's life in Newcastle is a breeze with Dave doing the "lion's share" of housework. Jayne thinks that Nicola mollycoddles Jason.
One night, both Nicola and Dave talk about how their partners take advantage of them, forcing them to do all the chores due to laziness. Meanwhile, Jason hangs at the pub while Jayne takes Lewis to karate practice. Jayne learns that Jason has never once taken Lewis to karate, something that upsets the boy. Nicola is impressed at Dave's abilities as a dad, especially compared to Jason's interactions with Lewis and Morgan. Later, Nicola and Dave take the family on their typical weekend "family day out." Nicola is amazed at how excited it makes the children, despite the fact that they only get to spend two pounds at the arcade. Jayne talks about how sad Lewis is that he doesn't get to play with his father.
That night, Nicola has to come to terms with the fact that her own children are missing out on a lot of things. After one week of swapping, the wives then unveil their own rules. Jayne hires a locksmith to lock Jason out of his game room. Jayne reveals that Jason is to spend more time with his children. Nicola tells Dave that he is to quit being a "wimp" and force his wife to do things around the house. That night, Dave uses his family's "holiday fund" to take Nicola for a nice night out.
That evening, they return drunk and happy, amused at the thought that their partners are no doubt struggling with each other. The next morning, Jason tries to wake up his children and get them ready for the day. Then, despite struggles, he takes Lewis and Morgan out alone for the first time in his life. However, things go from bad to worse when Lewis falls in a river. Dave talks about how he is having more fun with Nicola around. Nicola talks about how she has come to realize that the selfish bully Jason has always treated her as a slave, and she can't return to that lifestyle. "Novice father" Jason then accompanies Lewis to karate lessons. Jason discusses his fears about being a bad parent, and how tickled Lewis was to have his father present at the lesson. Jason has come to realize Nicola's achievements in raising their children. Nicola thinks that she may have to split from Jason if things don't change. Jayne has actually become impressed by the new Jason.
On the final day of the swap, all four adults meet to discuss the experience. Nicola tells Jayne that she takes Dave for granted. Dave tells Jayne that he thinks he does too much around the house. Nicola tells Jason how unhappy she is and how she needs some major changes to be made. Jason apologizes for the last ten years, saying he will soon "put things right." The partners come to an agreement to make the necessary changes. Afterward, the wives return to their own children. Finally, the program details how each family changed after the two-week swap. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: Channel 4 (United Kingdom)
- DATE: September 20, 2003
- RUNNING TIME: 0:49:31
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:84756
- GENRE: Reality
- SUBJECT HEADING: Reality
- SERIES RUN: Channel 4 (United Kingdom) - TV series, 2003-2009
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Stephen Lambert … Executive Producer
- Vicky Hamburger … Producer, Director
- Claudia Guerretta … Assistant Producer
- Jenny Crowther … Series Producer
- Ken Lorimer … Narrator
- Dave McLoughlin
- Jason McLoughlin
- Jayne McLoughlin
- Leanne McLoughlin
- Lewis McLoughlin
- Morgan McLoughlin
- Nicola McLoughlin
- Reese McLoughlin